Editing Jeffrey Dahmer (section)

==Trial==
Dahmer's trial began on January 30, 1992.{{sfn|Dahmer|1994|p=207}} He was tried in Milwaukee for the 15 counts of first-degree murder{{sfn|Dvorchak|Holewa|1992|pp=169–173}} before Judge Laurence Gram.{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=227}} By pleading guilty on January 13 to the charges brought against him, Dahmer had waived his rights to a trial to establish guilt, as defined in Wisconsin law.{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=215}} Attorneys at Dahmer's trial debated whether he suffered from either a mental or a personality disorder.{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=215}} The prosecution claimed that any disorders did not deprive Dahmer of the ability to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or to deprive him of the ability to resist his [[impulse (psychology)|impulses]]. The [[defense (law)|defense]] argued that Dahmer suffered from a mental disease{{sfn|Norris|1992|p=269}} and was driven by obsessions and impulses he was unable to control.{{sfn|Masters|1993|pp=227–228}}

Defense experts argued that Dahmer was insane due to his [[Necrophilia|necrophilic]] drive—his compulsion to have sexual encounters with corpses. Defense expert [[Fred Berlin]] testified that Dahmer was unable to conform his conduct at the time that he committed the crimes due to his [[paraphilia]] or, more specifically, necrophilia. Judith Becker, a professor of psychiatry and psychology, was the second expert witness for the defense. Becker diagnosed Dahmer as a necrophiliac, although she added Dahmer had informed her, he preferred comatose sexual partners to deceased ones "75 percent" of the time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Expert Findds Few Clues in Dahmer 'Temple' |date=February 5, 1992 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-02-05-9201110474-story.html |newspaper=The Chicago Tribune |access-date=July 7, 2021 |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416184202/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-02-05-9201110474-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The final defense expert to testify, [[forensic psychiatrist]] Carl Wahlstrom, diagnosed Dahmer with necrophilia, [[borderline personality disorder]], [[schizotypal personality disorder]], [[alcohol dependence]], and a [[psychosis|psychotic disorder]].{{sfn|Petherick|Turvey|Ferguson|2009|p=487}}<ref name="diagnosis">{{cite magazine |first=Steve |last=Bogira |url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-inner-life-of-a-psycho-killer/Content?oid=880359 |title=The Inner Life of a Psycho Killer |magazine=[[Chicago Reader]] |date=August 27, 1992 |access-date=December 5, 2013 |archive-date=October 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024161141/http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-inner-life-of-a-psycho-killer/Content?oid=880359 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Ewing|McCann|2006|pp=142; 147-151}}

On February 8, a psychiatrist, Dr. Fred Fosdal, testified on behalf of the prosecution.<ref>{{cite news|last=Worthington|first=Rogers|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-02-09-9201120844-story.html|title=Psychiatrist: Dahmer in Control|access-date=October 23, 2022|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=February 9, 1992|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023204630/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-02-09-9201120844-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Fosdal testified to his belief that Dahmer was without mental disease or defect at the time he committed the murders. He described Dahmer as a calculating and cunning individual, able to differentiate between right and wrong, with the ability to control his actions, and whose lust overpowered his [[Morality|morals]].<ref name="Deseret News">{{cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/1992/2/10/18966874/psychiatrist-says-dahmer-was-sick-but-not-insane|title=Psychiatrist Says Dahmer Was Sick but Not Insane|work=[[Deseret News]]|date=February 10, 1992|access-date=September 10, 2010|via=Google News|archive-date=October 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001043322/https://www.deseret.com/1992/2/10/18966874/psychiatrist-says-dahmer-was-sick-but-not-insane|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Fosdal did state his belief that Dahmer was a paraphiliac, his conclusion was that Dahmer was not a [[sadistic personality disorder|sadist]].{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=255}}

The second and final witness to appear for the prosecution, forensic psychiatrist [[Park Dietz]], began his testimony on February 12. Dietz testified that he did not believe Dahmer had any form of mental disease or defect at the time that he committed the crimes, stating that "Dahmer went to great lengths to be alone with his victim and to have no witnesses."{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=262}} He explained that there was ample evidence that Dahmer prepared in advance for each murder, and therefore, his crimes were not impulsive.<ref>{{cite book |first=Lawrie |last=Reznek |title=Evil or Ill? Justifying the Insanity Defence |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=1997 |page=290 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3qhUh10iOCYC&pg=PA290 |isbn=9780415167000 |access-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122053914/https://books.google.com/books?id=3qhUh10iOCYC&pg=PA290 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Milwaukee Journal Feb. 12, 1992">{{cite news|first=Jim|last=Stingl|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dSohAAAAIBAJ&pg=4713,3624402|title=Dahmer Knew What He Was Doing, Expert Says|work=The Milwaukee Journal|date=February 12, 1992|access-date=December 5, 2013|via=[[Google News]]}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Although Dietz did concede any acquisition of a paraphilia was not a matter of personal choice,{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=262}} he stated his belief that Dahmer's habit of becoming intoxicated prior to committing each of the murders was significant; "If he had an impulse to kill or a compulsion to kill", Dietz testified, "he wouldn't have to drink alcohol to overcome it. He only has to drink alcohol to overcome it because he is inhibited against killing."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/02/12/Psychiatrist-says-Dahmer-needed-alcohol-before-he-could-kill/1669697870800 |title=Psychiatrist Says Dahmer Needed Alcohol Before He Could Kill |first=Jerry |last=Smith |work=United Press International |date=February 12, 1992 |access-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023522/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/02/12/Psychiatrist-says-Dahmer-needed-alcohol-before-he-could-kill/1669697870800 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Dietz noted that Dahmer strongly identified with the villains of ''The Exorcist III'' and ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'', particularly the level of power held by these characters. Expounding on the significance of these movies on Dahmer's psyche and many of the murders committed at the Oxford Apartments, Dietz explained that Dahmer occasionally viewed scenes from these films before searching for a victim.<ref>{{cite AV media |first=Park|last=Dietz|author-link= Park Dietz |year= 1992 |title= Jeffrey Dahmer, Return of the Jedi and Exorcist 3 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsj7bXdaPho | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/jsj7bXdaPho| archive-date=October 28, 2021|access-date= June 23, 2019 |ref= DahmerTrialVideo}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Dietz diagnosed Dahmer with [[substance use disorder]], paraphilia, and schizotypal personality disorder.{{sfn|Haycock|2014|pp=133–134}}

Forensic psychiatrist George Palermo and clinical psychologist Samuel Friedman testified about Dahmer's pathology independently of either prosecution or defense. Palermo stated that Dahmer was motivated to commit murder by a "pent-up aggression within himself. He killed those men because he wanted to kill the source of his homosexual attraction to them. In killing them, he killed what he hated in himself." Palermo concluded that Dahmer had a severe [[Personality disorder not otherwise specified|mixed personality disorder]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Dickinson |first=Christopher |title=The Inner Life of a Psychopathic Killer |date=August 27, 1992 |url=https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/the-inner-life-of-a-psycho-killer |newspaper=[[The Chicago Reader]] |access-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917064504/https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/the-inner-life-of-a-psycho-killer |url-status=live}}</ref> with antisocial, [[Obsessive–compulsive disorder|obsessive-compulsive]], sadistic, [[sexual fetishism|fetishistic]], borderline and necrophilic features, but otherwise legally sane.{{sfn|Ewing|McCann|2006|p=151}}

Friedman testified that it was a longing for companionship that caused Dahmer to kill and testified that Dahmer was not psychotic. He described Dahmer as "amiable, pleasant to be with, courteous, with a sense of humor, conventionally handsome, and charming in manner. He was, and still is, a bright young man."{{sfn|Norris|1992|p=214}}<ref name=":1">{{cite book |first1=Solomon M.|last1=Fulero|first2=Lawrence Samuel|last2=Wrightsman |title= Forensic Psychology |year= 2008 |publisher= Cengage Learning |location=Boston, Massachusetts|isbn= 978-0-495-50649-2}}</ref> He diagnosed Dahmer with a [[personality disorder not otherwise specified]] featuring borderline, [[obsessive-compulsive personality disorder|obsessive-compulsive]], and sadistic traits.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19920206&id=Z7UcAAAAIBAJ&pg=2548,3262701|title=Dahmer Sane, Psychologist Says|work=[[The Pittsburgh Press]]|date=February 6, 1992|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424202744/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19920206&id=Z7UcAAAAIBAJ&pg=2548,3262701|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Closing arguments===
The trial lasted two weeks.{{sfn|Dahmer|1994|p=211}} On February 14, both attorneys delivered their closing arguments to the jury. Each attorney was allowed to speak for two hours. Defense attorney Gerald Boyle argued first. Repeatedly referring to the testimony of the mental health professionals—almost all of whom had agreed Dahmer was afflicted with a mental disease{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=268}}—Boyle argued that Dahmer's compulsive killings had been a result of "a sickness he discovered, not chose".<ref name="nytimes Sanity of Dahmer"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19920215&id=lHtOAAAAIBAJ&pg=1633,5266547|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 15, 1992|title=Defense Claims Dahmer Was a 'Killing Machine'|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122063013/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19920215&id=lHtOAAAAIBAJ&pg=1633%2C5266547|url-status=live}}</ref> Boyle portrayed Dahmer as a desperately lonely and profoundly sick individual "so out of control he could not conform his conduct anymore".{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=269}}

Following the defense counsel's 75-minute closing argument, [[E. Michael McCann|Michael McCann]] delivered his closing argument for the prosecution, describing Dahmer as a sane man, in full control of his actions, who simply strove to avoid detection.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rogers |last=Worthington |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-02-10-9201130157-story.html |title=Dahmer Case Comes Down to Will Vs. Impulse |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=February 10, 1992 |access-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126050524/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-02-10-9201130157-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nytimes Sanity of Dahmer">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/15/us/jury-deliberates-sanity-of-dahmer.html |title=Jury Deliberates Sanity of Dahmer |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 15, 1992 |access-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-date=January 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116054542/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/15/us/jury-deliberates-sanity-of-dahmer.html |url-status=live}}</ref> McCann described Dahmer as a calculating individual who killed to control his victims and retained their bodies "merely to afford" himself a prolonged period of sexual pleasure.<ref>{{cite news |first=Edward |last=Walsh |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1992/02/01/man-describes-hours-long-ordeal-before-police-apprehended-dahmer/e30288f1-eaf3-4a4f-a67b-d7c570b36174 |title=Man Describes Hours-long Ordeal Before Police Apprehended Dahmer |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=February 1, 1992 |access-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122093324/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1992/02/01/man-describes-hours-long-ordeal-before-police-apprehended-dahmer/e30288f1-eaf3-4a4f-a67b-d7c570b36174 |url-status=live}}</ref> McCann argued that by pleading guilty but insane to the charges, Dahmer was seeking to escape responsibility for his crimes.<ref name="nytimes Sanity of Dahmer"/>

===Conviction===
On February 15, the court reconvened to hear the verdict: Dahmer was ruled to be sane and not suffering from a mental disorder at the time of each of the 15 murders for which he was tried, although in each count, two of the twelve jurors signified their [[dissent]].{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=272}} Formal sentencing was postponed until February 17. On this date, Dahmer's attorney announced his client wished to address the court. Dahmer then approached a lectern and read from a statement prepared by himself and his defense as he faced the judge.{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=273}}

In this statement, Dahmer emphasized that he had never desired freedom following his arrest, and that he "frankly" wished for his own death. He further stressed that none of his murders had been motivated by hatred, that he understood that nothing he either said or did could "undo the terrible harm" he had caused to the families of his victims and the city of Milwaukee, and that he and his doctors believed his criminal behavior had been motivated by [[mental disorder]]s. Dahmer added that this medical knowledge had given him "some peace", and that although he understood that society would never forgive him, he hoped God would.<ref name="Associated Press">{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/49045923cf0d3c1a0ffc82eda398b935 |title=Dahmer Tells Judge he Blames Nobody But Himself: Dahmer Sentencing |work=[[Associated Press News]] |date=February 17, 1992 |access-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606063721/https://apnews.com/article/49045923cf0d3c1a0ffc82eda398b935 |url-status=live}}</ref> Dahmer closed his statement with: "I know my time in prison will be terrible, but I deserve whatever I get because of what I have done. Thank you, your honor, and I am prepared for your sentence, which I know will be the maximum. I ask for no consideration."<ref name="Associated Press"/> He then returned to his seat to await formal sentencing.{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=274}}

Dahmer was then sentenced to life imprisonment plus ten years upon the first two counts.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Sidney|last=Urquhart|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975527,00.html|title=Guilty! Call My Agent!|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=May 18, 1992|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001043319/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975527,00.html |archive-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> The remaining thirteen counts carried a [[mandate (criminal law)|mandatory]] sentence of life imprisonment plus seventy years. The [[Capital punishment in the United States|death penalty]] was not an option for Judge Gram to consider at the penalty phase, as Wisconsin had abolished capital punishment in 1853.<ref name="Bardsley-21"/>

Upon hearing of Dahmer's sentencing, his father Lionel and stepmother Shari requested to be allowed a ten-minute private meeting with their son before he was transferred to the [[Columbia Correctional Institution (Wisconsin)|Columbia Correctional Institution]] in [[Portage, Wisconsin|Portage]], to begin his sentence.{{sfn|Masters|1993|p=274}} This request was granted, and the trio exchanged hugs and well-wishes before Dahmer was escorted away.

Three months after his conviction in Milwaukee, Dahmer was [[extradition|extradited]] to Ohio to be tried for the murder of his first victim, Steven Hicks.{{sfn|Dahmer|1994|p=241}} In a court hearing lasting just 45 minutes,<ref>{{cite news|first=M. R.|last=Kropko|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19920502&id=dEweAAAAIBAJ&pg=1336,196522|title=Dahmer Gets 16th Life Sentence|work=[[Times Daily]]|location=Florence, Alabama|date=May 2, 1992|access-date=April 29, 2018|via=Google News|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122095451/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19920502&id=dEweAAAAIBAJ&pg=1336%2C196522|url-status=live}}</ref> Dahmer again pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to a 16th term of life imprisonment on May 1, 1992.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=j7YyAAAAIBAJ&pg=3168,1564005|title=Dahmer Pleads Guilty to 16th Murder|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|date=May 2, 1992|access-date=December 5, 2013|via=Google News|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122095715/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=j7YyAAAAIBAJ&pg=3168%2C1564005|url-status=live}}</ref>{{refn|group=n|The State of Ohio had reinstated the death penalty in 1974; this law had been declared [[Constitutionality|unconstitutional]] by the time of Hicks' 1978 murder. As such, Dahmer was not liable to face the death penalty for this offense. Ohio would formally reinstate the death penalty in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/state-and-federal-info/state-by-state/ohio|title=Death Penalty Information Center: Ohio|publisher=deathpenaltyinfo.org|access-date=February 2, 2024|archive-date=February 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226164036/https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/state-and-federal-info/state-by-state/ohio|url-status=live}}</ref>}}